What happens when faith and service come together in marriage? For Stephen Kocmoud and Julia Salinas, the answer is a life filled with purpose, joy and community. Whether they’re leading middle schoolers in youth ministry or bringing beauty to the Mass through music, this dynamic duo has made it their mission to follow Christ by meeting the needs of others and trying to inspire people around them to do the same.
“We’re not perfect, but we do our best to keep Christ at the center,” Kocmoud shared. “It’s not about us. Our faith compels us to look beyond ourselves and see Christ in everyone we meet.”
Music ministry has long been a part of Kocmoud's life and a natural expression of his faith since childhood. If you go to the 10:00 AM Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Denver, you might get to experience Kocmoud's beautiful music ability!
“I grew up doing a lot of music ministry with my parents,” he said. “It’s a really easy thing to jump into, to start to get to know a parish. If there’s a need, you can serve and help make the Mass more beautiful.”
While Salinas is not musically inclined, she shared that her desire to serve in ministry alongside her husband led them to youth ministry.
“We wanted to do some sort of ministry together, but I'm not musical at all,” she joked. “Both of us had done middle school youth ministry separately in college, so it was a good fit.”
Their previous experience with middle schoolers was a perfect fit for the parish's needs. Liz, the youth ministry director, shared with them that many people shy away from middle school ministry, preferring high school students instead.
“Most people prefer high school, but they needed help with middle school,” Kocmoud recalled. “It’s definitely chaotic, but we get to form special relationships with the kids and their families.”
Middle schoolers may be full of energy and a little unpredictable, but Kocmoud and Salinas embrace the unique opportunities this ministry provides.
“I love seeing our kids who are really energetic during youth ministry transform into a different version of themselves while serving on the altar during Mass,” Salinas reflected. "They have a true reverence for the Lord."
“Middle school is such a transformative time. They wrestle with real things, like how to love their siblings and not get mad all the time. It seems simple, but it’s very real for them,” Kocmoud added.
As they walk with the middle schoolers in their group, the couple strives to lead them to a deeper encounter with Jesus. After all, they said, middle schoolers can handle profound theological truths and prayer experiences when given the chance.
“I think it’s too easy to say they can’t sit still and so we should avoid deep prayer or theology,” Kocmoud said. “They need to be challenged.”
Their ministry in the middle school youth group and in providing beautiful music to the liturgy has also helped them connect with parishioners beyond their own age group, deepening their sense of community at Our Lady of Lourdes.
“It really makes the parish feel more like home when you get to know other parishioners in different stages of life than yourself,” Kocmoud shared.
As they've come to know their parish and find themselves more at home there, Kocmoud and Salinas are grateful to give back. Despite the challenges that come with serving others, the couple sees their ministry as both simple and rewarding.
“It’s not that hard to jump in and serve,” Kocmoud said. “Sometimes, it just takes one night every other week, and you can make a real difference in your parish.”
Congratulations, Julia and Stephen, for being named the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal Disciples of the Month!
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